2009 MERLOT HALF BOTTLE

Swanson Merlot, the heart and soul of our storied 100-acre Oakville Cross Road vineyard, established itself 20 vintages back and continues to set the standard of balance and consistency among all Napa and Sonoma Merlots. As complex and delicately layered as most Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, while delighting both new and discriminating palates with its trademark drinkability, Merlot is who we are and what we do. We are Oakville’s largest producer of estate-grown Merlot, aptly and quite frequently described as the “Cab-lover's Merlot".

Wine Profile

Vineyard Notes

Merlot: From our mid-valley Oakville Cross Road Estate and two small vineyards near the flank of the Mayacamas range in Oakville. Cabernet Sauvignon: Exclusively from a small vineyard estate in the center of Rutherford appellation. Petit Verdot: A very small block in the Oak Knoll district just south of Yountville on the valley's eastern edge.

Winemaker Notes

Visually, aromatically, and on the palate, the wine is plush and generous. The color is dark garnet with a purple edge. The nose is captivating, with aromas of fresh, ripe black cherry, plum, raspberry, and well-integrated toasted oak. In the mouth, very ripe black and red fruits surround a core of velvety tannin. The finish is enticing, silky-smooth, long and harmonious. This Merlot will continue to improve in the bottle, with optimum drinkability from 2013 - 2017.